I was listening to Catholic radio today and they had a segment where folks called in about secular songs that had a Christian message. It was great listening and some songs were obvious like this one and others a bit of a stretch. It was a nice break from all the heaviness in world right now. Any other ones vine to mind?
I'm a big fan of rock music and often hear religious overtones. Some of them unintended maybe, but I hear them searching for something . . . greater. For example Queen - Save Me always sounded like a plea for redemption to me: Save me, save me, save me I can't face this life alone Save me, save me, save me... I'm naked and I'm far from home
Sounds nice but take a look at the lyrics! Not a song for Christians by any stretch. .... Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu.... etc. etc. This is a hymn to the Hindu 'gods' i.e. devils.
Johnny Cash has written a few tunes with relgious overtones. Redemption is a big subject in some of them.
There is no such thing as ‘good rock music,http://www.traditionalcatholicapologetics.com/rock-music-evil
Such a shame. Also, Let it Be was not written for Our Blessed Mother which is also a shame. When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be But I know who I think about when I hear that music, and I'm sure Carmel333 thinks of Jesus when she hears My Sweet Lord.
Yes, I have heard this before and would agree with some of what is said in that article. However many of his statements are too generalised. While rock music chooses to emphasize rhythm, it in fact often does away with both melody and harmony. Rock music is in fact based on the oxymoronic notion of ‘harmonic dissonance,’ which basically means play instruments and notes that don’t go together, yet somehow sounds ‘cool’. Note that dissonance by definition is the absence of harmony. I am not a musician and I know nothing about music theory but I do know what he is describing here and it's a type of rock music I don't like. It's jarring to the ears but I also find free form jazz - not even sure if that's what it's called - jarring, and I don't care for it. Much of what he describes in my opinion applies to hard rock and heavy metal. The kind mostly liked by kids in their early teens, especially boys, who seem to have a lot of aggression to work out. They mostly grow out of it. Unfortunately, almost all modern music falls under these condemnations, since it all has the same fundamental structure regardless of whatever 'flavor' it goes by. Country music is rock music. Metal is rock music. Pop is rock music. And so on. It's about the beat and rhythm in all these types of music, not about some edifying melody lifting the mind and soul upwards. Well now. What sweeping generalisation. He has included two music genres I don't like: country music and pop music. I bet it's news to many here that country music is of the devil. I'm willing to bet there are more than a few country music fans here. It's big news to me that country music is rock music However I do understand his argument that he defines it by beat and rhythm dominating melody and harmony. Speaking of harmony brings to mind that one of the Everly Brothers died recently - Phil Everly. RIP. How would this be classified by the writer I wonder? They were masters of harmony. People who like to listen to rock music will in fact laugh when they hear classical music, since they consider it ridiculous for not giving them what they’re looking for. I love listening to classical music and know many rock fans and rock musicians who love to listen to it too. So that's that argument out the window. I love some opera too. I went to an opera once. Verdi's Nabucco. Achingly beautiful. If you've got 5 spare minutes, stop and listen to the Voice of the Hebrew Slaves: However one place I really don't like to see a guitar - even acoustic - is inside the church. This may just be a matter of personal taste. I love lots of folk music but really can't be doing with guitar strumming in church. Our church choir, fortunately, sing lots of stunningly beautiful old Latin hymns
Would like to know their source to claim that any music or for that matter art, writings, etc is INTRINSICALLY evil. It's ironic that they call out classical music when you look at the lives of some of the composers, for example Mozart, an avowed Freemason. I'm not suggesting that R&R be part of the Mass, but to put it on par with abortion, murder, stealing, etc. as an intrinsic evil is IMO way off base. But I suppose we are all entitled to out opinions. For me, I can find meaning in many secular songs Pearce.
When I was a child this song was popular, and I never understood all the strange words at the end, I just thought of Jesus, as I'm sure must people did while hearing it,which is why I posted it.
If I have any talent at all, it is music, and I play several instruments and in my 20s played with a road band for a while. I have always loved music, and all GOOD music has always been a delight to me. One of the things I have really given up since becoming converted many years ago was constantly having music on while driving, and so pray instead with silence. But anyway, I have always loved classical, rock, celtic, country, you name it as long is it is good. I think music does have an intent, and I do believe most rock has an intent to "empower" people, giving them feelings of rebellion, strength, and even stirring up feelings of war and conflict. Some sounds very demonic. An example is AC/DC Hells Bells. I always LIKED the song, because I felt it was good. I still think it's good for what it is, but refrain from listening to it. It was totally creepy in a movie about trucks becoming possessed (the name of the movie escapes me). But anyway, music usually does have a purpose, to bring out a certain emotion, and of course this is why we are so drawn to the beautiful hymns of the Catholic Church and other chants, because they "take us there". I must admit I am sorely disappointed in a lot of the newer songs sung at Mass, as a lot of them are just plain bad, and wouldn't even make it on the pop charts the melodies are just so bad.
I do love one secular artist though, that always has some beautiful Christ oriented songs on each album. She usually runs to Blue Grass style (which I love also if it's good!) and I find her music so calming and upbeat to listen to while I'm working or housecleaning. It's Alison Krause, and here is one of my favorites on an early CD of hers:
